4th XV 12 Cantabs II 12
 
On a cold and miserable day in Cambridge another episode in the Shelford 4th team history rolled out. The atmosphere in the changing room was subdued pre game and needed lifting by the inspirational captain.
After the previous encounter at Cantabs the visitors were expecting to run out winners again. Shelford were to show great courage and skill and the opening exchanges were brutal but equal. After a quiet winter the rustiness was definitely rubbed off by hard tackling and for the forwards, difficult scrummaging. The forwards ignored this weakness and cracked on with the game in hand.

The first half was nearly entirely played as a stalemate as the teams exchanged quick breaks and grueling set pieces. Mention should go to Duncan and George in the forwards and Toby and Ben in the backs. It was now the weather that changed with conditions making it difficult for open rugby. . There was an exchange of tries with Shelford's Toby scoring from a break through the middle but the conversion was missed.
At half time a number of substitutes were made to strengthen the Shelford pack who were clearly tiring due to the set piece pressure but the game remained in the middle third of the pitch. Cantabs scored to give them a 12 :5 advantage but Shelford battled on and thanks to a bit of clever work at the back of the scrum Shelford were able to turn defense into attack and a run from their 25m line for Matt to score under the posts. Shelford were back in the game and then through a set of serious defensive efforts they held Cantabs until the final whistle. A magnificent game with all players giving 100% and I'm sure there will be several sore bodies on Sunday morning.. Hopefully this can be the turning point in the 4ths season with future games being wins. Keep fit and see you all next week.
Written by Richard Craddock